NBA probing Gary Trent Jr.'s contract extension with Bucks
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has initiated an investigation into the contract extension signed by Gary Trent Jr. with the Milwaukee Bucks. The signing was officially announced on Thursday, and the league is examining the circumstances surrounding the deal. An NBA spokesman confirmed that the league is “continuing to look into it.” Reports indicate that the NBA’s inquiry focuses on a potential circumvention of the salary cap rules.
While the Bucks did not publicly disclose the terms of Trent Jr.’s new contract, reports suggest he received a four-year, $64 million deal. This agreement follows a season where Trent Jr.’s on-court statistics saw a decline. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 8.1 points per game and played 21.2 minutes per game for Milwaukee. These figures represent his lowest averages in both categories since his rookie season in 2018-19.
The central concern for the NBA’s investigation is whether there was a prior understanding that Trent Jr. would be financially rewarded with this new contract after signing below-market deals in the previous two years. This type of arrangement could potentially violate the league’s salary cap regulations.
Trent Jr.’s recent performance and contract history
Trent Jr., a 6-foot-4 guard, initially joined the Bucks in 2024. He signed a contract for the veteran minimum after a season with the Toronto Raptors where he averaged 13.7 points per game and shot 39.3 per cent from 3-point range. His performance with the Raptors preceded his move to Milwaukee.
He returned to the Bucks in the subsequent year, following a 2024-25 season where he averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 41.6 per cent from 3-point range with Milwaukee. That season concluded with him scoring over 30 points in two of the Bucks’ five playoff games during their first-round loss to the Indiana Pacers. The contract he signed last year included a $3.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, which he declined before agreeing to the current extension under investigation.
Broader context of NBA investigations
This probe into Trent Jr.’s contract is not an isolated incident for the NBA. The league is also conducting an investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers regarding allegations of salary cap circumvention. That separate inquiry involves a $28 million endorsement contract between seven-time All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, a now-bankrupt California-based sustainability services company. The Clippers’ trade of Leonard to the Toronto Raptors has been put on hold due to this ongoing investigation.
While the specifics of the situations differ, both investigations highlight the NBA’s focus on maintaining the integrity of its salary cap rules. The league aims to ensure fair play and prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage through undisclosed or pre-arranged agreements.
Historical precedent and commentary
The current investigation brings to mind past situations in the NBA where similar arrangements were made. Stefan Bondy recounted a conversation with John Calipari, who referenced a well-known tale from 1994 involving the Phoenix Suns and Danny Manning. In that instance, the Suns had $1 million under the cap and used it to sign Manning.
According to the account, there was an informal agreement from Suns owner Jerry Colangelo that Manning would receive a larger contract after one year. Despite Manning suffering a knee injury midway through that first season, Colangelo reportedly honoured his word, signing Manning in 1995 to a seven-year, $40 million extension. This deal was considered substantial at the time. Colangelo also reportedly gave Manning part ownership of the Diamondbacks, which was cited as another example of cap circumvention. Calipari suggested that such arrangements should be a viable operational method for players and teams in the current era, particularly for stars willing to take discounts to build competitive teams around them.
The NBA’s investigation into Gary Trent Jr.’s contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks remains ongoing.
Source: sportsnet.ca
